Hereford United's ground to be leased to Phoenix club despite interest from Redditch amongst others

Edgar Street the former home of defunct Hereford United will be leased to Phoenix club Hereford FC the grounds owners, Hereford CC have decided.

That's bad news for Redditch United were one of a number of groups who applied to play at the now defunct Hereford United’s ground.

The agreement with the new club and lease are subject to contract and solicitors final comment.

The Hereford Football Club group, led by Jon Hale has successfully negotiated the short term lease to run from March 2015.

This means that the club can be registered with the Football Association in time to ensure that Edgar Street sees football back at the ground in time for the 2015-16 season.

Cllr Tony Johnson, leader of Herefordshire Council said, “We are delighted to announce Hereford Football Club as the new tenants for the ground.

"The last few months have been fraught; there has been great uncertainty over the future of the ground and I am personally extremely pleased that we have been able to put an end to that uncertainty.

"We hope that the historic supporters of the club will welcome the news and support Hereford Football Club with the same passion and fervour as Hereford United.”

Giving their reaction to this news, Jon Hale, from Hereford FC, and Chris Williams, Chairman of Herefordshire United Supporters Trust (HUST) who are the key partner in the new club, said: “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Herefordshire Council for a short term lease to allow Hereford FC to become the new tenants at Edgar Street.

"As a partnership we'd like to thank the local authority for its commitment to seeing football continue at this historic, much loved stadium and we look forward to building a strong relationship with our landlord as the club moves forward.'

It has yet to be confirmed which level of football the new club will start from.